William Hay was born in 1793 in Banffshire, Scotland.

He married Isabella Henderson on January 30, 1831 and had 8 children.

The 1851 census lists him as a Presbyterian farmer.  Wiliam died on October 15, 1858 in Fergus, Ontario after immigrating to Canada with his family. He is buried along with Isabella in Saint Andrews Auld Presbyterian Kirkyard.